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It’s quite common for job seekers to receive messages from recruiters on LinkedIn. These messages typically inquire about interest in job opportunities or request an updated resume. However, with the high volume of messages sent by recruiters, it can be challenging to recall specific details from any given message. There are a few techniques that can help jog your memory if you need to recall a previous LinkedIn recruiter message.
Check Your LinkedIn Messages
The most straightforward way to review a previous recruiter message is to check your LinkedIn inbox. All messages are archived there so you can scroll back to find communications from recruiters that you may have forgotten about. The message timestamp will give you the exact date and time the recruiter reached out.
You can use LinkedIn’s search bar to search for keywords if you want to find messages about a certain company or role. LinkedIn also has filters so you can view only messages from recruiters or sort by date ranges. Spend some time scrolling through your past LinkedIn messages if you think a recruiter contacted you but you can’t remember the specifics.
Search Your Email
Many recruiters will send an initial outreach message through LinkedIn and then follow up via email. Even if you don’t recall the LinkedIn message, you may be able to locate a subsequent email from the recruiter in your inbox.
Try searching your email with keywords like the company name, recruiter name, or job title. You can also filter by date range if you have a general timeframe of when the recruiter may have contacted you. If the recruiter followed up via email, they likely included some of the same details from the initial LinkedIn message, which can trigger your memory.
Check Your Notes or CRM
In addition to LinkedIn and email, you may have made notes about recruiter outreach in your CRM or a tool like Excel. Many job seekers track recruiter messages and key details like position, compensation, etc. Review any logs or notes you keep related to your job search, especially if you diligently document recruiter communications.
Even a few scattered notes like company name or date of message can help jog your memory enough to recall the specifics of a previous recruiter message. Having a system to track each message and interaction is ideal to avoid forgetting key details.
Ask the Recruiter to Resend
If you have the recruiter’s contact information, don’t hesitate to reach back out and ask them to resend their previous message. Most recruiters will gladly forward their initial outreach email or LinkedIn message again. You can explain you receive many recruiter inquiries and need a quick refresher on the role they contacted you about.
This approach is direct and will provide you with a copy of the exact message the recruiter sent. You’ll be able to review the specifics of their outreach and follow up appropriately, even if you can’t recall the original details.
Recalling Key Details
Beyond finding the recruiter’s message, you’ll also want to jog your memory on key details they shared so you can continue the conversation. Here are some tips for recalling specifics:
Reflect on Your Interactions
Reconstruct the timeline and your interactions with the recruiter. Did you have a phone call or video chat after the initial message? What questions did you ask them? Reflecting on follow up conversations can help recall key details even if you don’t remember the original message.
Check Your Calendar
Look back at your calendar for any meetings or blocks of time marked for speaking with recruiters. If you took the time to chat with them, they likely shared specifics about the role and company. Calendar appointments can help trigger your memory of those conversations and details.
Reach Out to Your Network
If you discussed the recruiter’s message with colleagues, friends or your partner, reach out to see if they remember any details. Even if you don’t recall particulars, someone you had conversations with may be able to jog your memory based on what you shared with them.
Focus on What Matters Most
Prioritize remembering details that are most relevant, like the role, company, compensation, work location, etc. Don’t get stuck trying to recall every word. Focus on the key factors that will inform your decision-making process. If needed, be honest with the recruiter that you don’t recall all specifics but are still interested in discussing the opportunity.
Best Practices for Recalling Messages
To avoid forgetting important recruiter outreach in the future, implement some of these best practices:
Take Notes
Whenever a recruiter contacts you, take 5 minutes to jot down key details in a notebook or tracking spreadsheet. The act of writing will help cement it in your memory. Refer back to your notes if you ever need to recall specifics.
Follow Up via Email
After a LinkedIn message, try to move the conversation to email where there will be a written record. Email also allows you to easily search and find previous exchanges if needed.
Connect on LinkedIn
Accept connection requests from recruiters who reach out so you can refer back to their profile for their name, company, location etc. Having them in your network makes their info just a click away.
Set Reminders
Right after speaking with a recruiter, set a calendar reminder for yourself 1-2 weeks in the future to recap the key details. When the reminder pops up, you’ll refresh yourself on what was discussed.
Create a Tracking System
Using a spreadsheet, CRM or database to document recruiter outreach in one place will prevent details from getting lost or forgotten. Quickly record main points for each message.
Follow Up Quickly
Respond to recruiter messages as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours. Details will be fresh in your mind and you won’t lose track of next steps. Let recruiters know if you need a few days to consider the opportunity.
Conclusion
It’s common and understandable to occasionally forget specifics from past recruiter outreach. Luckily, there are various techniques you can use to locate previous messages and jog your memory on important details, including:
– Reviewing archived LinkedIn messages
– Searching your email inbox
– Checking any saved notes or a CRM
– Reaching back out to the recruiter directly
– Reflecting on past interactions and timelines
– Consulting your calendar for related appointments
– Tapping your network who may recall details
Moving forward, be diligent about taking notes, following up via email, connecting with recruiters on LinkedIn, and setting reminders for yourself. Implementing a system to track each message will help ensure you don’t forget key details.
With a few simple practices, you can easily refer back to explorer previous recruiter outreach when needed. Stay organized and don’t let the volume of messages cause you to lose track of exciting opportunities.
Key Takeaways
– Check archived LinkedIn messages, email, notes, CRM and calendar to locate specifics of past recruiter outreach
– Jog your memory by reconstructing timelines, conversations and interactions with the recruiter
– Implement notetaking, email follow up, LinkedIn connections and reminders to avoid forgetting details
– Focus on recalling the most important information like role, company, compensation
– Ask recruiters to resend their message if you need to review exact details again
Table of Best Practices
Best Practice | Reason |
---|---|
Take notes | Writing details down will help you remember |
Follow up via email | Email provides a written record to refer back to |
Connect on LinkedIn | Easy access to recruiter’s profile and contact info |
Set reminders | Get periodic refreshers on what was discussed |
Track details in CRM | A centralized system prevents losing details |
Respond quickly | Details will be fresh when following up within 24 hours |